Reviewing Random Films For Fun

January 27, 2016

It’s a Gift #MovieReview

Film 288 in the ‘1001 Films to See Before You Die’ challenge is 1934’s “It’s a Gift”. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod and staring W.C. Fields, this comedy film is about a henpecked New Jersey grocer who makes plans to move to California to grow oranges, despite the resistance of his overbearing wife. Was the goal of this film to annoy me? Was it to give me a headache? Well it accomplished both. No one in this film is likeable. WC Fields comes across as a dumbass, his wife is annoying, the little boy has a screechy voice that makes my ears bleed and the daughter…. didn’t do a whole lot. There were scenes that just went on and on to the point where I found Newcastle United signing Andros Townsend for £12 million more interesting than this. One scene that defiantly went on too long was the patio scene. We get it, you have noisy neighbours who think leaving their baby outside overnight with an icepick is a good idea. I was asking so many questions throughout this film but rather than the film answer them, it just sweeps them under the carpet and moves on. Why was the boy wearing roller skates throughout the film? Why is Harold determined to buy this orange ranch? Why is Harold’s wife annoying? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Also, for a comedy film I didn’t laugh at one thing. Was it because I was annoyed throughout? Or is it because the comedy is outdated or, in one case, a little offensive? What I mean by that is, the blind man in the shop. How do we show he’s blind; waves a stick, black tinted sunglasses, walks/falls into things and can somehow avoid being hit by a parade of firetrucks. Overall, this film annoyed me and left me with a headache that’s going to take more than paracetamols to cure. Fun Fact – Despite two of his films making it on this list (this and The Bank Dick), none of his movies was ever nominated for an Academy Award. If you have seen this film then let me know what you thought of it in the comments. Here is what I had to say while watching 1934’s ‘It’s a Gift’